Wage Garnishment in California – Know Your Rights (Orange County Edition)
Losing Part of Your Paycheck to the FTB?
If the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) is garnishing your wages, you’re not alone — but you do have options. FTB collections can happen fast, especially if you’ve received prior notices and didn’t respond. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how wage garnishment works in California, what makes FTB different from the IRS, and most importantly — what you can do right now to stop it or reduce the damage.
The FTB can garnish wages without a court order, often leaving taxpayers with little warning and even less cash.
But here’s the good news:
You can fight back.
With the right legal and financial strategy, it’s possible to
reduce, pause, or even stop wage garnishments in California.
This is especially important for residents in Orange County cities like Irvine, Anaheim, and Santa Ana who are being affected by California tax enforcement.
What Is Wage Garnishment?
Wage garnishment is a legal process where your employer is ordered to withhold part of your paycheck and send it to the FTB to satisfy a tax debt.
How Much Can the FTB Take?
The FTB can garnish:
- Up to 25% of your disposable wages
- Sometimes more, depending on your income and household size
They calculate this after required deductions (not including rent, food, or medical bills), so the impact can feel massive.
How Did You End Up in Garnishment?
Garnishments usually follow:
- Unpaid California tax debt
- Multiple ignored FTB notices
- Failure to set up a resolution plan
- FTB sending an “Order to Withhold” to your employer
Unlike other creditors, the FTB does not need to go to court. Once your employer gets the order, they must comply. That’s why many clients come to us after experiencing California FTB bank levy enforcement or sudden paycheck garnishment.
What Are Your Rights Under California Law?
- You have the right to receive notice before garnishment starts
- You have the right to dispute the garnishment
- You can request a financial hardship review
- You can be protected if the garnishment causes severe financial distress
⚠️ FTB already garnishing your paycheck? You may still have options — Schedule a Free Consultation to protect what’s left.”
How to Stop or Reduce FTB Wage Garnishment
1. Request a Financial Hardship Deferral
If garnishment threatens your ability to afford rent, food, or healthcare, the FTB may suspend collection. Knowing how to qualify for an FTB hardship deferral can mean the difference between losing your paycheck and keeping it.
2. Enter Into an Installment Agreement
The FTB will often stop garnishment if you enter a formal payment plan that fits your income.
3. Submit an Offer in Compromise
If you truly can’t pay, you may qualify to settle your debt for less than owed. Our office specializes in settling debt with an IRS Offer in Compromise and can evaluate whether that or a California-specific program applies to your case.
4. Dispute the Garnishment
If the garnishment is in error or exceeds legal limits, you can file a protest or contact the Taxpayer Rights Advocate.
In federal cases, we also help clients with IRS wage garnishment enforcement, ensuring both state and federal garnishments are properly addressed.
Can You Negotiate the Amount?
Yes. With proper documentation, you can request the garnishment be reduced to an amount that allows you to cover basic living expenses.
Case Study: Wage Garnishment Released in Garden Grove
Denise, a teacher in Garden Grove, had 22% of her paycheck garnished due to back taxes. After calling Boulanger CPA:
- We submitted a hardship request with budget documentation
- The FTB paused garnishment within 10 days
- We later negotiated a $90/month payment plan
- Denise’s full paycheck was restored
We Help Californians Fight Back
At Boulanger CPA and Consulting PC, we help wage earners in Orange County—including Irvine, Santa Ana, Anaheim, and Garden Grove:
- Stop wage garnishments
- Get levies released
- Restore their financial stability
- Resolve tax debts permanently
If you’ve received collection letters such as responding to an IRS notice of intent to levy, we’ll guide you step by step through your options before your paycheck or bank account is affected.
Let’s Get Your Paycheck Back – Contact Us Today
Website:
www.orangecounty.cpa
Phone:
657-218-5700
Email:
marc@boulangercpa.com
Don’t let garnishments control your life. For practical solutions and deeper insights, learn more in Defend What’s Yours or reach out directly for a confidential consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an FTB wage garnishment?
The Franchise Tax Board can order your employer to withhold part of your paycheck to collect unpaid California state taxes. This is called wage garnishment.
How much of my paycheck can the FTB take?
The FTB can garnish up to 25% of your disposable income or the amount exceeding a certain threshold based on minimum wage. This often leaves taxpayers short on essential expenses.
Will I get notice before the FTB starts garnishment?
Yes. The FTB must send a notice before garnishing wages. However, many taxpayers overlook or don’t understand the seriousness of these notices.
Can I stop an FTB wage garnishment once it starts?
Yes. You may request a hardship deferral, negotiate a payment plan, or submit an Offer in Compromise. Professional representation often speeds up relief.
What is an FTB hardship deferral?
A hardship deferral temporarily suspends garnishment if you can prove the wage levy prevents you from meeting basic living expenses.
Does bankruptcy stop FTB wage garnishment?
Yes. Bankruptcy generally halts state and federal garnishments. However, tax debt dischargeability depends on specific circumstances.
How does FTB wage garnishment compare to IRS garnishment?
Both agencies use garnishment as a collection tool. The IRS follows federal exemption tables, while the FTB follows California-specific rules and can sometimes be more aggressive.
Should I hire professional help for FTB wage garnishment?
Yes. A tax professional can help request relief, negotiate alternatives, and ensure your rights are protected throughout the process.
📣 About the Author
Marc Boulanger, CPA is the founder of Boulanger CPA and Consulting PC, a boutique tax resolution firm based in Orange County, California and trusted by high-income individuals and business owners across Southern California.
He is the author of Defend What’s Yours: A California Taxpayer’s Guide to Beating the IRS and FTB at Their Own Game, available now on Amazon. The book offers a step-by-step plan for resolving IRS and FTB tax debt without losing your business, your home, or your peace of mind.
With over a decade of experience resolving high-stakes IRS and State tax matters, Marc brings strategic insight to complex cases involving wage garnishments, bank levies, unfiled returns, and six-figure tax debts. He is known for helping clients reduce or eliminate tax liabilities through expertly negotiated settlements and compliance plans.
Marc is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in California and Oklahoma and holds the designation of Certified Tax Representation Consultant. He is a member of the American Society of Tax Problem Solvers (ASTPS) — the national organization founded by the educators and practitioners who have trained thousands of CPAs, EAs, and tax attorneys in IRS representation strategy.
Every case is handled with discretion, proven methodology, and direct CPA-led representation — not call center scripts.
📍 Learn more at www.orangecounty.cpa or call (657) 218-5700.
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